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Bloodsport

Bloodsport (1988)

Composer(s):
Paul Hertzog

Released in:
1988

Reviews

Bloodsport Soundtrack Review (Perseverance Records)
by a soundtrack collector (October 5, 2007)
Review compiled by Mick Hasham - Mick561@hotmail.com

I would like to begin by congratulating Perseverance Records for re-releasing a really great soundtrack such as the classic, Bloodsport. I have been waiting for this release for a big portion of my life. Now that I have heard it, I have taken the time to write a review about it. Again, I express my heart felt thanks to Robin Esterhammer, President of Perseverance along with Paul Hertzog for making this release possible. I’m happy to say that there is a big improvement in this re-issue. But at the same time I would like to reserve some minor criticism. Let’s discuss the cons first. I’m a little disappointed as to why we didn’t get a complete release as promised. Perseverance Records had a chance to offer us the whole package but this didn’t occur this time round. Robin Esterhammer even said on many occasions that the soundtrack is complete! Unfortunately I beg to differ with him on this point and have compelling grounds to do so. I will certainly present my case and explain why. There remains a small portion of the soundtrack that is yet to be released. (This issue is very important) Many tracks that were available on the first release have been slightly edited. (Through this is no big deal) Also the front cover could have been designed better and the “Limited Edition 3000 Copies” quote should have been printed on the cover. This is not to say this CD shouldn’t be owned. The good points by far out weigh the bad, 3 to 1. Now let’s discuss the good. There are new, previously unreleased cues of the score that have been inserted. Also a few tracks have been slightly expanded. That’s all good. In addition, we also get to hear Steal The Night for the very first time along with the true movie versions of Stan Bush’s Fight To Survive and On My Own-Alone. And not to mention that almost all the tracks were placed in correct order and the quality of the score this time is crisp and clean. I am certain that the soundtrack was re-mastered. Like I said before, no doubt, this is a big improvement on the other release. So don’t just walk but run and get your self a copy right now. But had the complete score been released, that would have been totally awesome. There would be no need to wait in vain for another re-release. But the way I see it, there remains a need to release an expanded soundtrack in the not to distant future. I just hope this happens in my life time. Anyway, below I will be giving an in depth review for each track along with comparisons to the previous soundtrack. I will also be referring to the track, The Gamble, when necessary. Pay particular attention to the Missing Cues between tracks 8 and 9. Also take special notice of track 19.

1. Michael Bishop - Steal The Night_ comments_ For the first time we get to hear this song. Great song even through, the song which appears on the soundtrack is longer then the version presented in the movie. Probably a single version was used or the song re-edited to fit the sequence. The other thing is it was not placed correctly in order on the CD. It should have been Track 11. Ether way, it’s great to finally have this song released and hear it in all its glory.. Overall, great track 8/10

2. Kumite_ comments_ This track should have been the opening of the Soundtrack. Apart from that, it’s exactly the same as the previous version. A really good score as heard in the prologue. Overall, really good track 7/10

3. Captain_ comments_ The previous release was slightly longer and can be found at the end of track 5. Not really important but good to have, especially for the purists out there.
Overall, average track 5/10

4. (Flashback Montage) Flashback-Martial Science-Father & Son-Training-Tree & Sword_ comments_ Now this track is really interesting. The Flashback score was never released on the previous soundtrack but was included separately in a lengthy track called The Gamble, as part of a CD compilation called Best of Jean Claude Van Damme. Vol. 2. Martial Science was previously called Dim Mar track 11 on the previous soundtrack. The Father & Son as well as Training sound exactly the same as the previous release. I am a little suspicious about the Tree & Sword music through. For some reason it is slightly shorter then the previous release. Go and compare the two and you will know what I mean. The other thing which bothered me is the way the score was mixed together at the end of each sequence. Probably they thought it was better this way so there can be continuity between the music and preserve space. I don’t know. But I think if there was a second or two of silence it would have been better. The Tree & Sword music should have been included in its entirety since it is one of the best pieces of synthesizer music in the soundtrack. A piece that really stimulates the senses and gives you inspiration. Overall, apart from the above mentioned, this track is excellent 9/10

5. In Hong Kong_ comments_ This music is track 5 on both releases, on the previous release, it was included with other tracks as one mix. Ideally suits the Hong Kong sequences. Overall, good track. 6/10

6. The Walled City_ comments_ This track was previously on track 5 and was included with some other tracks as one mix. Really, dramatic and powerful music. Overall, very good track 7/10

7. Dim Mak_ comments_ This track was previously included with the Morning After music, on track 9 in the first release. I have always liked this particular kind of music. It reminds me of the ancient rights of martial arts. Overall, great track 8/10

8. Police_ comments_ This is the first time this track has ever been released. Not really important but good to have, especially for the purists out there. Overall, average track 5/10

00. Missing Track_ comments_ I’ve been waiting for this one track for all my life, and it seems like I will remain waiting. Unfortunately it was not included in this new release. The cue accompanying the sequence I am referring to is when Van Damme’s character is in the hotel with the Arab and does a coin trick just so the Arab can leave the reporter alone. I am still scratching my head in disbelief and trying to figure out why this short cue, which only totals a mere 28 seconds, was left out. I’m hoping very much that an expanded Bloodsport soundtrack be released in the future, containing this cue. Overall, if this track was available, I would have given it 10/10

9. (First Day) Ceremony-First Fight-Good,Bad,Ugly-Dux Vs. Arab_ comments_ This is another interesting track. Ceremony was previously at the end of track 5 in the first release. It has also been edited in this release. In addition, I would also like to state that the music for Ceremony does not appear to have been used in the movie itself. First Fight-Good, Bad, Ugly was partially used in an alternate form in The Gamble as part of a CD compilation called Best of Jean Claude Van Damme. Vol. 2. For the first time we hear this track in a new version and in its entirety. Dux Vs. Arab is also available in the beginning of The Gamble but seems to have been shortened quite considerably in this new release. Despite some music being slightly edited out and mixed at the end of each track, this is still a really good piece. Overall, great track 8/10

10. Stan Bush – Fight To Survive_ comments_ This song was released on track 2 in the previous release but with a different performer. Not too many people are aware of this. It has always remained a mystery to me as well as a countless number of fans as to why they re-did the song. I’m not trying to criticize Paul Delph but Stan Bush’s performance here along with his vocals is absolutely breathless. Now for the first time we can hear the song as it was meant to be heard, from the movie. Despite it being slightly shorter then the movie version, it’s still a great song. Overall, great track 8/10

11. Morning After_ comments_ The same name title previously on track 9 along with another track in the old release. Romantic and soothing music showing the love developing between the shido’shi student and the nosy reporter. Overall, good track 6/10

12. Second Day_ comments_ Again, same name but slightly different version. This track is also another interesting one. I’m not sure if anybody noticed but the previous release was corrupt near the end. If you listen closely you can pick up a skip. This version seems to have fixed that problem but at the same time has been edited slightly. This track has always been one of my favorites. It should be listened to in gyms, to give that extra grunt. Overall, 9/10

13. Samoan Balls_ comments_ This score was never released on the previous soundtrack but was included separately in a lengthy track called The Gamble, as part of a CD compilation called Best of Jean Claude Van Damme. Vol. 2. This particular version is the same except that it’s been considerably shortened. This is really a powerful piece of score, adapting quite well to the visuals intended for it. Overall, 8/10

14. Jackson Falls_ comments_ This piece too was never released on the previous soundtrack but was included separately in a lengthy track called The Gamble, as part of a CD compilation called Best of Jean Claude Van Damme. Vol. 2. This particular version is the same except that it’s been shortened by a few seconds. Overall, good track 6/10

15. Stan Bush - On My Own-Alone_ comments_ This song was released on track 7 in the previous release but with a different performer. Again, not too many people were aware of this. Paul Delph was given consent to re-do this song with his own voice. His version is good but lacks popularity with the fans, simply because it’s not the version heard in the movie. Again, Stan Bush’s performance here is exceptional and boy does he know his music. Now for the first time, we can hear the song as it was meant to be heard. I really wanted this song and now I finally got it. Overall, great track 9/10

16. Here For The Final-Inspector, No_ comments_ This score was never released on the previous soundtrack but was partially included in The Gamble, as part of a CD compilation called Best of Jean Claude Van Damme. Vol. 2. This particular version is the same except that it’s considerably longer. It’s always nice to get a track extended. Overall, good track 6/10

17. Paco Vs. Dux_ comments_ This track was wrongly released as Chong Li Kills, track 6 on the previous release. There are notable variations between the old and newer versions. The previous release is more longer and sounds slightly different. This is another worthwhile track to take with you to the gym. Overall, 7/10

18. Chong Li Kills_ comments_ This track is considerably longer then the previous version. As mentioned before, it’s always nice to get a track extended. Overall, good track 6/10

19. Preparation_ comments_ This is the first time this piece of score has been released. I just absolutely love it. The music here is haunting and inspirational and has always been close to my heart. But I’m really shocked as to why it was faded-out so early on, in an abrupt way. No doubt, this was poorly done. I don’t understand! It should have been allowed to roll for another 20 seconds at the very least. For heaven’s sake, I’m hoping very much that an expanded Bloodsport soundtrack be released so this particular track gets extended. If it wasn’t faded out so early, I would’ve handed it ten out of ten. Overall, great track 9/10

20. (Finals) Finals-Powder-Triumph_ comments_ This track surprised me. Finals, was previously named Preparation and was on track 10 on the first release. No changes to the score. Powder was track 12. This also sounds exactly the same. It’s not until we come to Triumph which sounds slightly different. It could be a variation of another version. I really don’t know. In addition, these sequences were again mixed as one track. I’ve already mentioned how this bothers me. Anyway, Finals has always been one of the best scores I have ever heard. Every time I listen to it I get a power rush. It’s fair to say, almost the same can be said about Powder & Triumph. Overall, great track 9/10

21. Stan Bush - Fight To Survive (End Title) comments_ (Refer back to track 10 for more info) This is a longer version of track 10 as heard in the end credits. Actually the movie version is much longer. It’s quite possible the song was re-looped at some point to make it sound longer till the end of the credits. Overall, great track 8/10

22. Michael Bishop - Steal The Night (Instrumental) comments_(Refer back to track 1 for more info) This is almost exactly the same as track 1, being 4 seconds longer and in Instrumental form, are the only differences. Overall, 7/10

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